Putin calls Musk a ‘genius’ and says Russia is in close contact with him as it builds its own Starlink

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk as a “real genius” and said the two are in “close” contact¹. Putin said on Wednesday that Russia has been in contact with Musk over satellite networks³. The two are in close contact about developing a Russian alternative to Starlink, Putin said².

“Elon Musk is a genius, a true genius,” the Russian leader said⁴. The comments linked SpaceX with Russia’s gradual efforts to build its own constellation, called Rassvet⁴. Putin made the remarks during an update on Russia’s space programme⁷. His praise for Musk came on Wednesday⁶.

Why it matters to investors

The praise lands amid a dispute over SpaceX satellite communications used by Ukraine’s military⁶. It follows SpaceX’s cut to Ukraine’s Starshield connection, which one report said hit the country’s air defences⁵. One report said the SpaceX boss ordered the Starshield blackout⁵. Ukraine is recovering from that Starshield throttling⁸.

SpaceX shares retreated as Putin’s comments about Musk circulated⁷. In a separate matter, an advertising firm has been accused of spying via Starlink⁷.

For SpaceX, the remarks tie its founder to a rival state’s satellite project^2,4. Russia is developing an alternative to Starlink², and Putin said he is in contact with Musk over satellite networks while that work goes on³. The account of the contact comes from the Kremlin side, and the statements are Putin’s own^1,3. Putin also described Musk as a genius twice over in the same remarks⁴.

What to watch

The first marker is Rassvet, Russia’s own constellation, which Putin’s comments place alongside SpaceX⁴. How far Russia gets with its alternative to Starlink² will show whether the contact Putin described has any practical effect³. Russia’s work on Rassvet is described as gradual⁴, so the timetable for a Russian alternative remains open².

The second is Ukraine. Its military relies on SpaceX satellite communications⁶, and it is still recovering from the Starshield throttling⁸. Any further disruption would sharpen the dispute that frames Putin’s praise^5,6.

The third is SpaceX’s share price, which retreated as the comments spread⁷. Putin described his contact with Musk as close¹, even as the company’s network remains central to Ukraine’s military^6,7.